EU unveils aid package in support of union farmers
The European Commission has presented a new package of measures to support farmers in the face of ongoing market difficulties, particularly on the dairy market. Out of the €500 million granted, Finland’s agriculture sector will receive €7.5 million.
The package includes an EU-wide scheme to incentivise a reduction in milk production, as overproduction has driven world prices down.
Of the total amount, €350 million will be split between the member states of the EU. Finland will receive €7.5 million.
Finland’s minister of agriculture Kimmo Tiilikäinen says the package will allow more funding on the national level and earlier payment of increased standard subsidies.
“We estimate that in Finland, this will mean that we can pay out 60 million in subsidies already in October instead of December. Farmers in Finland have a real liquidity problem, so this will help,” says Tiilikäinen.
The remaining €150 million will be devoted to an EU-wide programme to reduce dairy production. The programme is open to all dairy farmers who wish to participate.
“Coming at a time of significant budgetary pressures, this package provides a further robust response, and means that the commission has mobilised more than €1 billion in new money to support hard pressed farmers,” adds EU commissioner for agriculture and rural development Phil Hogan.
